Definition of MORAL
MORAL Adjective and Noun
Moral can be both an adjective and a noun. As a noun, moral refers to a lesson or principle concerning what is right or prudent, typically derived from a story, experience, or piece of advice. It represents an ethical lesson that is intended to guide behavior and decision-making.
MORAL as an adjective
As an adjective, moral describes actions, choices, or judgments that are deemed ethically correct or virtuous. Moral behavior reflects adherence to principles such as honesty, integrity, compassion, and fairness. It involves consideration of the consequences of one’s actions on others and a commitment to upholding ethical standards.
MORAL as a noun
As a noun, a moral is a lesson that conveys an ethical message or principle. Often, morals are embedded in stories, fables, parables, or anecdotes, serving as a means to illustrate the consequences of certain behaviors and encourage virtuous conduct. For example, the moral of Aesop’s fable “The Tortoise and the Hare” is that slow and steady wins the race.
Ethical Principles: Moral judgments are guided by ethical principles that vary across cultures, religions, and philosophical traditions. These principles may include concepts such as the golden rule (treating others as one would like to be treated), utilitarianism (maximizing overall happiness or utility), deontology (adherence to moral duties or rules), or virtue ethics (cultivating moral character traits).
Cultural and Religious Influence: Cultural and religious beliefs play a significant role in shaping moral values and norms within societies. Different cultures may have distinct notions of what constitutes morally right or wrong behavior, influenced by traditions, customs, and teachings. Religious teachings often provide moral guidance and prescribe ethical conduct based on divine commandments or spiritual principles.
Personal and Social Ethics: Individuals navigate moral dilemmas in both personal and social contexts, balancing their own values and beliefs with societal expectations and norms. Personal ethics involve making decisions that align with one’s conscience and values, while social ethics consider the impact of actions on others and the broader community.
Application in Decision-Making: Moral considerations are integral to decision-making processes in various domains, including business, politics, healthcare, and law. Ethical decision-making involves weighing competing interests, considering the rights and welfare of all stakeholders, and striving to achieve outcomes that are morally defensible and justifiable.
Challenges and Conflicts: Navigating moral complexities can present challenges and conflicts, particularly when ethical principles or values come into conflict or when facing situations with ambiguous ethical implications. Ethical dilemmas may arise when there is tension between individual autonomy and societal welfare, competing moral imperatives, or conflicting cultural or religious beliefs.
Promoting Moral Education: Efforts to promote moral education and ethical reasoning aim to cultivate individuals’ capacity to make informed, principled decisions and act with integrity and empathy. Moral education involves teaching values such as empathy, respect, responsibility, and fairness, as well as fostering critical thinking skills and ethical reasoning abilities.
In conclusion, moral encompasses principles of right and wrong behavior, ethics, and values that guide individuals’ actions and judgments. As a noun, it refers to the ethical lessons derived from stories or experiences meant to guide behavior. As an adjective, it describes actions or principles deemed ethically correct. Upholding moral principles fosters trust, integrity, and social cohesion, contributing to a more just and compassionate society.
MORAL in a sentence
MORAL as an adjective in a sentence
- She believed in making moral decisions, even when they were difficult.
- The teacher emphasized the moral lessons in the story.
- His actions were guided by a strong moral code.
- They faced a moral dilemma about whether to report their friend’s misdeeds.
- The community valued moral integrity and honesty.
- He felt a moral obligation to help those in need.
- The movie dealt with complex moral issues.
- She questioned the moral implications of genetic engineering.
MORAL as a noun in a sentence
- The moral of the story is that honesty is the best policy.
- Each fable in the book ends with a clear moral.
- He drew a moral from his experience that hard work pays off.
- The parable conveyed a profound moral about compassion.
- She always looks for the moral in challenging situations.
- The moral they learned from their journey was to never give up.
- His speech included a powerful moral about the importance of unity.
- The fairy tale’s moral teaches children to be kind and brave.
Origin of MORAL
The term moral has its etymological roots in Latin, offering insights into its linguistic origins.
- Latin Influence: “Moral” is derived from the Latin word “moralis,” which pertains to customs, manners, or morals. In Latin, “moralis” originally referred to the practices and behaviors that were considered proper or ethical within a society.
- Semantic Context: In modern usage, “moral” serves as an adjective to describe principles, values, or behaviors that are considered right, ethical, or virtuous within a particular cultural or societal context. It often contrasts with the notion of “immoral,” which refers to actions or behaviors that are considered unethical or contrary to accepted moral standards.
The term moral emphasizes its association with ethical principles, values, or behaviors that guide individuals’ actions and decisions in accordance with accepted standards of right and wrong within a society.
Synonyms
- Ethical
- Virtuous
- Righteous
- Principled
- Decorous
- Upright
- Conscientious
- Honourable
Antonyms
- Unethical
- Immoral
- Unprincipled
- Corrupt
- Dishonourable
- Unscrupulous
- Deceitful
- Unrighteous
Related
- Ethicality
- Virtue
- Righteousness
- Conscience
- Integrity
- Decency
- Rectitude
- Honesty
🌐 🇬🇧 MORAL in other languages
| Spanish 🇪🇸 | Moral |
| French 🇫🇷 | Morale |
| German 🇩🇪 | Moral |
| Chinese (simpl) 🇨🇳 | 道德 |
| Chinese (trad) 🇨🇳 | 道德 |
| Italian 🇮🇹 | Morale |
| Portuguese 🇵🇹 | Moral |
| Dutch 🇳🇱 | Moreel |
| Swedish 🇸🇪 | Moralisk |
| Norwegian 🇳🇴 | Moralsk |
| Finnish 🇫🇮 | Moraalinen |
| Romanian 🇷🇴 | Morală |
| Polish 🇵🇱 | Morał |
| Hungarian 🇭🇺 | Erkölcsi |
| Czech 🇨🇿 | Morální |
| Bulgarian 🇧🇬 | Морален |
| Ukrainian 🇺🇦 | Моральний |
| Russian 🇷🇺 | Мораль |
| Turkish 🇹🇷 | Ahlaki |
| Azerbaijani 🇦🇿 | Mənəvi |
| Armenian 🇦🇲 | Բարոյական |
| Arabic 🇸🇦 | أخلاقي |
| Hebrew 🇮🇱 | מוסר השכל |
| Urdu 🇵🇰 | اخلاق |
| Farsi/Persian 🇮🇷 | اخلاقی |
| Hindi 🇮🇳 | नैतिक |
| Bengaleli/se 🇧🇩 | নৈতিক |
| Marathi 🇮🇳 | नैतिक |
| Telugu 🇮🇳 | నైతిక |
| Tamil 🇮🇳 | ஒழுக்கம் |
| Gujarati 🇮🇳 | નૈતિક |
| Kannada 🇮🇳 | ನೈತಿಕ |
| Odia (Orya) 🇮🇳 | ନ al ତିକ | |
| Malayalam 🇮🇳 | ധാർമിക |
| Punjabi 🇮🇳 | ਨੈਤਿਕ |
| Sinhala/ese 🇱🇰 | සදාචාරාත්මක |
| Nepali 🇳🇵 | नैतिक |
| Burmese 🇲🇲 | ကိုယ်ကျင့်တရား |
| Thai 🇹🇭 | ศีลธรรม |
| Vietnamese 🇻🇳 | Có đạo đức |
| Malay 🇲🇾 | bermoral |
| Indonesian 🇮🇩 | Moral |
| Tagalog 🇵🇭 | Moral |
| Japanese 🇯🇵 | 道徳の |
| Korean 🇰🇷 | 도의적인 |
| Oromo 🇪🇹 | Kan safuu |
| Somali 🇸🇴 | Akhlaaqda |
| Amharic 🇪🇹 | ሥነ ምግባር |
| Swahili 🇹🇿 | Maadili |
| Yoruba 🇳🇬 | Iwa |
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